Veteran Metro educator Ralph Thompson announces retirement

Ralph Thompson, a 35-year veteran of Metro Nashville Public Schools and the district’s superintendent of student services, announced his retirement Thursday.

Thompson, who oversees safety and student disciplinary polices for the district, is set to officially step down at the end of this month.

“This district has been my professional home for 35 years,” Thompson said in a statement. “So I will miss it, and the people within it, very much.”

A graduate of Metro’s old North High School, Thompson joined the district in 1976 as a gym teacher. He later became principal at Jere Baxter Middle School before serving stints as principal at Glenview Elementary, Isaac Litton Middle and Pearl-Cohn High schools. In 2001, he joined Metro’s central office.

“Mr. Thompson has poured a tremendous amount of energy and work into our public schools,” Director of Schools Jesse Register said. “His leadership skills, character and passion for public education have touched the lives of thousands of individuals in our community, young and old.”

A press release from the district said Thompson has no other plans other than “R and R.”

The release did not reveal Thompson’s successor or how the district plans to conduct the search to replace him.